But now in Christ Jesus, you who were far away have been brought near by the blood of the Messiah. - Ephesians 2:13
In the United States, it is sometimes easy to forget (or at least take for granted) the blessing of biblical faith in God. Even though most of my ministry life has been spent in "pioneer" areas of our country, I spent my formative years in a place where the gospel was readily available. In fact, it was only about 250 yards down the road! The thought of the "good news" being unreachable, for most Americans, is hard to imagine.
Paul reminded the Christ-followers in Ephesus of a fact we should never forget. None of us, no matter where we grew up, were ever truly close to redemption. Sin is a definitive separator and though we may have felt that in some way we were deserving of salvation, this has simply never been true. We do not "deserve" the gospel any more than the most extant, unengaged people group in the remote jungle of the Amazon or desert of Africa. If the gospel has come near (within earshot), it is the blessing of a grace-filled God.
We have all been "brought near" by the blood of Christ, so why wouldn't we do our best to bring it to others?
His authority on earth allows us to dare to go to all the nations. His authority in heaven gives us our only hope of success. And His presence with us leaves us no other choice. - John Stott
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